County Launches 8th Annual Binational Health Week

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – For the eighth consecutive year, the County of Santa Clara is partnering with the Consulate General of México in San José, and dozens of community-based organizations, to host Santa Clara County’s Annual Binational Health Week (BHW). This year’s series of health activities and events will take place October 1 -16, 2012.

“Santa Clara County is fortunate to have a very diverse population and we celebrate this diversity in many different ways,” said President George Shirakawa, County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. “Binational Health Week gives us an opportunity to work in collaboration with the Mexican Consulate and reach out to Hispanic members of our communities who are among the medically underserved.”

Today’s Binational Health Week Opening Ceremony launches a series of health education and health promotion events - nearly 30 this year - that includes workshops, health fairs and a variety of health screenings and tests, soccer tournaments and insurance referrals for low-income Hispanic immigrants in Santa Clara County. Coordinators are focusing on Access to Health Care and Health Care Reform, Women’s and Adolescents’ Health, Mental Health, Chronic and Infectious Diseases and Occupational Health.

“The health of the Mexican families residing within our jurisdiction will always be a primary concern for the Consulate General of Mexico in San Jose,” said Consul General Carlos Ponce Martínez. “Our goal for Binational Health Week is to intensify our efforts, together with County representatives and the community as a whole, so that we can connect people with local health institutions and agencies that can provide health care services at lower costs.”

This year results from the Latino Health Assessment will be released in the Status of Latino/Hispanic Health: Santa Clara County, California, 2012 - http://bit.ly/New_Latino_Health_Report. The comprehensive report of health status of the Latino/Hispanic community identifies socioeconomic factors that can influence Latino/Hispanic health, and assess the conditions in various neighborhoods as they relate to obesity, nutrition, physical activity, and safety.

The assessment conducted by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department in collaboration with the Office of the President of the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors will be revealed at a public forum scheduled for October 15.

“While Santa Clara County enjoys recognition as one of the healthiest communities in California, a closer look reveals that our residents with different socio-economic conditions often experience health disparities,” said County Executive Jeffrey V. Smith. “Last year we conducted a health assessment of the Vietnamese community. This same analysis now has been conducted for the Hispanic immigrant community, providing us with a valuable tool to address these needs.”

Latino immigrants face significant barriers to health care, such as lack of information and access, limited culturally- and linguistically-competent services, insufficient financial resources to pay for medical expenses, reduced opportunities for employer‐provided health insurance, and immigration documentation status. Binational Health Week provides crucial resources and assistance to those who might not have seen a doctor since they arrived in the United States, or in some cases their entire lives.

“The health of immigrants coming to the United States typically begins to decline within a few years of arrival, so resources and services available at Binational Health Week are a great opportunity for us to address this problem,” said Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, Santa Clara County Health Officer. “The Status of Latino/Hispanic Health:Santa Clara County, California, 2012 report, will provide a roadmap to continue addressing issues that most affect our Latino community, such as high rates of overweight and obesity, low levels of physical activity, poor nutrition, and often high rates of injury and violence.”

Binational Health Week (BHW) is one of the largest mobilization efforts in the Americas to improve the health and well-being of underserved immigrants from Latin America living in the United States and Canada. Just last year over 10,000 participants benefited from health activities conducted in Santa Clara County alone during Binational Health Week, thanks to the support of dozens of County agencies, private initiatives, community-based organizations, and hundreds of volunteers.

“Thanks to the amazing partnership of agencies and the hard work of many individuals, we are able to connect Santa Clara County’s Latino community with important services and information that will help address and improve health and well-being,” said Santa Clara County Public Health Director Dan Peddycord. “Our coalition of partners reaffirms our fundamental commitment to working together towards improving the health of our Latino community for today, and for our future.”

Global estimates indicate that last year nearly 4,000 activities were coordinated as part of Binational Health Week, directly benefiting over 734,657 people. More than 10,000 agencies and 15,000 volunteers collaborated along with 150 consulates. Santa Clara County has actively supported and led Binational Health Week activities for the past eight years.

Celebrating Families/Celebrando Familias10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Noon)EMQ Families First232 East Gish Rd. San Jose, CAFree community event designed to celebrate families in our community. Workshops will focus on how to work with diverse families.

Herencia Hispana y la Donación5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.Consulate General of México in San José 2125 Zanker Road, San Jose, CAAn information panel to raise awareness to the Hispanic community about the importance of registering as a transplant donor.

Gilroy Community Health Day11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.Rebekkah Children’s Services290 IOOF Avenue, Gilroy, CA 95030A free community Health and disaster preparedness event. Receive health screenings, education and referrals. Learn about the many community resources available and how to take care of yourself and your family in case of an emergency. Music, prizes, entertainment for children, and more.

Medicare & Healthcare Forum. What does Healthcare Reform Mean to you?9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (Noon)Orchard Banquet Hall at Campbell Community Center1W Campbell Ave., Campbell, CA 95008Assembly member Jim Beall is hosting a FREE Medicare and Healthcare Forum with the Council on Aging Silicon Valley. California’s top healthcare experts will discuss how healthcare reform affects you and how to avoid mistakes that could cost you hundreds of dollars in healthcare and prescription costs. Expert counselors will walk you through how to select the best Medicare health and supplemental plans for you or a family member.

Women’s Healthcare/Cuidado de Salud de la Mujer9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Noon)Consulate General of México in San José2125 Zanker Road, San JoséDr. Rose Heredia, from the Genesis Clinic of San Jose will share health information on nutrition, sexuality, birth control, routine examinations and more. Free pregnancy tests will be distributed to attendees.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Detox the Body Workshop/Taller de Salud: Desintoxicación de l organismo5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.Consulate General of México in San José2125 Zanker Road, San JoséDr. Martha Mejia, graduate intern at Stanford University, will lead a free workshop and address the following topics: the elimination of body toxins, disease prevention and food that helps detoxify the body.

Breast Cancer Bingo5:30 p.m.Consulate General of México in San José2125 Zanker Road, San JoséA FREE Breast Cancer workshop, bingo and raffle coordinated by Latinas Contra Cancer. No-cost clinical breast exams will be available through a mobile unit.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Verte Bien, Sentirte Bien5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.Consulate General of México in San José2125 Zanker Road, San JoséA fun filled event coordinated by Fiesta Educativa with multiple activities available to the public at no cost: ZUMBA, massages, stylist and nutrition specialist.

Day on the Bay10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.Alviso Marina County Park, 1195 Hope Street, Alviso. The Day on the Bay is a multicultural festival focused on health and wellness. There will be free flu shots, diabetes testing, eye exam, tooth mobile, blood mobile and a fitness clinic for youth and young adults, all intended to motivate the community to make positives change in health behavior. Coordinated by the Office of County of Santa Clara Supervisor Dave Cortese.

8th Binational Health Week Closing Ceremony11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.Consulate General of México in San José2125 Zanker Road, San JoséCeremony to gather representatives from County agencies, community based organizations and volunteers to provide a report highlighting efforts and accomplishments.County of Santa Clara Board of SupervisorsPresident George Shirakawa, County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, District 2Supervisor Mike Wasserman, County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, District 1Supervisor Dave Cortese, County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, District 3Rene Santiago, Deputy County Executive for Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital SystemHon. Carlos Ponce Martínez, Consul General of México in San JoséDan Peddycord, Santa Clara County Public Health DirectorDr. Martin Fenstersheib, MD, MPH, Santa Clara County Health OfficerRepresentatives from County agencies, community organizations and volunteers